World

Brazil eyes cloning of endangered species

From:
AAP

November 15, 20129:36AM

SCIENTISTS in Brazil will try cloning endangered animal species such as the jaguar, a researcher says.

"The idea is to start with an animal that is endangered, or where species numbers have gone down sharply, such as the jaguar, the maned wolf or even the local deer," said Carlos Frederico Martins, a researcher with Embrapa Cerrado.

State-run Embrapa, the government's animal research unit, is launching the effort jointly with the Brasilia Zoo, the institutions told AFP. They are set to sign a joint agreement.

The research will also include experiments on artificial insemination and embryo transplants for species at risk.

A cloned animal would not be released back to nature, and would contribute little to saving its species in the short run.

But over time, animals that underwent artificial insemination or embryo transplants could be released.

A NOTE ABOUT RELEVANT ADVERTISING: We collect information about the content (including ads) you use across this site and use it to make both advertising and content more relevant to you on our network and other sites.